Callous thugs left trail of destruction

Heartless vandals destroyed thousands of pounds worth of vital equipment when they wenton the rampage at a local school for handicapped children.

Andin a sickening gesture, the callous thugs left behinda sinister calling card that read: “Congratulations!You have had a visit from theTYCH.”

The trail of destruction left staff at Clippens School, in Linwood, “devastated”as they cleared up the charred remains of specially adapted wheelchairs bought with money donated by supporters.

Local police, who w ere outraged at the senseless attack on the school, said that they would be pursuing the culprits involved vigorously.

Headmistress Doreen McFarlane said it was“hard to believe”that such a violent attackshould be made ona school that deals with profoundly handicapped children.

“Its bad whe n ithappened to anyone or anywhere, butit’s event more difficult to accept in a situation likeours.

“We are lucky that the whole building wasn’tdestroyed,” she said.

Mrs McFarlane added:“The fact that they left this neatly typed note for us makes it much worse.

“The room has just been completely refurbished with new carpets and special equipment,including three special-needs chairs, beds and a wheelchair costing in the region of £3,000 in all.

“These people have destroyed special equipment used by people who can’t help themselves and that’s what makes it all the more sad.

“We have been left speechless.”

Manyof the 60 childrenwho attend the school are having to go without the chairs which made them mobile.

Until the education departmentcan come up with replacements they have to go without.

Supporters of the school, we reported in March 1986, were already rallying around to try to raiseextra cash that could be used to replace some of the thousands of pounds worth of equipment that had been destroyed or damaged.